Ashes injury concern for England after Jimmy Anderson suffers calf injury

England have been hit with a massive pre-Ashes injury scare with pace star Jimmy Anderson suffering an injury just 30 days before the first Test at Edgbaston.

England's vice-captain James Anderson walks past a cutout of a hand indicating England's 4-0 series loss to Australia on the final day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match at the SCG in Sydney on January 8, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / William WEST / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE — STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —

Jimmy Anderson is in doubt for the start of the Ashes series after suffering a calf strain that forced him out of a County Cricket match just 30 days before the first Test at Edgbaston.

The England swing bowler was booked for a scan overnight, just two days after he celebrated his 950th first-class wicket.

Anderson attempted to bowl the third ball of his 19th over three times before giving up, clutching his calf and leaving the field for medical treatment.

England's Jimmy Anderson is facing a battle to be fit for the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. Picture: William West/AFP PHOTO

The England and Wales Cricket Board said: “Jimmy Anderson has sustained tightness to his right calf. He will not bowl again in the game and will continue to be assessed”.

While Anderson is likely to recover in time for the first Test match the setback is far from ideal for the 36-year-old’s preparation.

Anderson, playing for Lancashire, bowled Cameron Bancroft the day before suffering the injury.

Jimmy Anderson has tightness in his right calf and won’t return to his first-class match. Attempted to bowl three times, but pulled up and was taken from the field for treatment. Ashes start in 30 days. Not ideal for England.

— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) July 2, 2019

Anderson has taken 104 wickets in Ashes series, dismissing Usman Khawaja three times in the last series.

England is set to blood Jofra Archer, keen for Archer’s express pace to combine with Anderson’s clever swing.

Glenn Maxwell played with Anderson at Lancashire in April.

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“I certainly tuck away pieces of intel for personal use if I ever have to face him again, because I faced him in the nets an awful lot and stood at second slip for him for a whole four-dayer and just watched him go about his business,” Maxwell said.

“He’s a pretty good bowler, that’s for sure. He just angled everything in around my groin area basically, most balls in the nets. So that wasn’t very enjoyable.

“He’s a world-class performer and his length that he bowls is impeccable and he rarely misses the spot.”